Page 59 of Villainess's Redemption
My hand froze for a moment but I forced it to continue eating the tart. What did she mean by forgiveness? Did she know everything? No, that couldn’t be right. If she knew everything I’d be in jail. She probably meant how I tricked Noah into marrying me.
Breathe, Ilyana. Breathe.
As Rosalind’s face tightened into a mask of forced gratitude, I couldn’t help but think if it was her subtle way of asking Rosalind to forgive me and move on.
“Yes, of course, Your Majesty,” Rosalind said through gritted teeth.
The room’s stifling atmosphere threatened to choke me. Between Rosalind’s saccharine smiles and the queen’s calculating gaze, even the delicate lemon tarts tasted like ashes in my mouth.
One more minute of this and I’ll crack. I need to get out.
“Your Majesty,” I stood with a perfect curtsy, “please excuse me. I require a brief moment to… freshen up.”
Queen Felicia waved her hand dismissively. “Of course, dear. Don’t be long.”
I practically fled the solar, Laurel’s soft footsteps trailing behind me. The moment we turned the corner, I yanked off my necklace, gasping for air.
“My lady?” Laurel’s concerned voice barely registered.
“Garden. Now,” I needed space, air, anything but the suffocating pleasantries and veiled threats.
The palace gardens beckoned with their promise of solitude. Sweet jasmine perfumed the air as I collapsed onto a stone bench, letting my head fall back.
I was afraid of running into Prince Anderic again but at that moment I didn’t care. I was ready to take the risk and pray for the best.
My prayers weren’t answered.
“Well, well. Escaping the welcome party, are we?”
Of course.Just my luck to run into the one person who could make this day worse.
Prince Anderic lounged against a nearby tree, golden curls catching the afternoon sun. His simple white shirt clung to his chest, still damp from his earlier sparring session.
“Your Highness,” I muttered, not bothering to rise. He could take offense for all I cared. “Come to torment me some more?”
He pushed off the tree with fluid grace. “Now why would I do that when you’re doing such an excellent job yourself?”
“Laurel, give us a moment.” My maid retreated to a respectful distance but not without a knowing wink as Anderic claimed the space beside me.
“Running from Lady Rosalind already?” His shoulder brushed mine. “Afraid of her stealing your husband?”
I turned to snap at him but found his face inches from mine, those dangerous blue eyes dancing with amusement.
When did he get so close?
“I don’t own Noah. He has his free will, he can do whatever he wants,” I managed, trying to ignore how his proximity made my pulse race. “I simply needed some fresh air.”
“Hmm.” His fingers caught a loose strand of my hair, twirling it thoughtfully. I slapped his hand away. “Am I making you nervous?”
I jerked away, cursing the heat rising in my cheeks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“No?” His laugh was low, intimate. “Then why is your heart racing, lya?”
I shot to my feet, desperate to escape Anderic’s suffocating presence. “If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness, I should return to the gathering.”
“Running away again?” His voice held that infuriating amusement.
I strode down the garden path, seeking refuge among the blooming rose bushes. The gravel crunched beneath my slippers as Anderic’s longer strides easily kept pace.
